Bible 2014

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Romans 12:12 How To Live

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Going through life, everyone has many challenges and problems. It is often very difficult. In this verse Paul gives a few little simple things to do in order to get a person through the challenges of life.

“Be joyful in hope.” As a believer you know that someday Jesus will return to take you to heaven with Him. At that time you will be made perfect and that there will be no more pain or suffering.

What this means for today is that the challenge you are going through is only temporary. God has stated that He will meet all of your needs. With this in mind you can be joyful that there will be an end and someday you will be in heaven with God. Have the inner excitement that God is in control and will help you.

“Patient in affliction.” When you are going through a difficult time, it can be difficult to wait for the answer to come. It is hard to wait for the situation to end.

Again you know that the situation is only temporary. You also know that God will meet your needs. Now you must wait for the answer. The answer may come today, tomorrow, in ten years, or when you step into heaven. You must wait for the answer. You must be patient.

“Faithful in prayer.” Finally, you must be faithfully praying. You are to pray without ceasing. In everything you are to pray. You are to be loyal to God to communicate with Him.

You must take your needs before God. Let Him know how you feel and how you are doing and what you desire. Spend time worshipping Him for what He is doing and will do in your life in both the good and bad times.

If you are not going through a difficult time right now in life, wait, it will come. Jesus promised difficult times. When those difficult times do come remember to be joyful, patient, and faithful in prayer. God will bring you through it. You will be amazed at how God works all things out for your good. Are you trusting Him today?

I pray today that you will know the joy of the salvation Jesus provides; that you will have God’s hope; that God will help you to be patient for His answer; that you will be faithful in prayer to God; and that God will do great and wonderful things in and through you.

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Ditches in The Desert

Here is an excellent article on trusting God for the impossible by Karina’s Thoughts. It will challenge you. May God bless you with it as it has blessed me.

Karina's Thought

DITCHES IN THE DESERT -Karina's Thought

Today, my morning activity in the office begins with an interesting conversation with my secretary. I didn’t know why she suddenly asked about this thing, “Ma’am, do you really believe in what is written in Luke 1:37?” My mind directly drifted to that verse. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” A bit difficult to answer this question. I could answer, “Yes! Of course I strongly believe that nothing is impossible for God” but it only will be a stumbling block if my attitude and deeds at a later time not in accordance with my word. Then I try to answer its question carefully. I said, “I always pray ask for strength and wisdom to keep learning to believe everything that God says. I always open my ears wide to listening every of His word then I put it in the deepest of my heart as something absolute…

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John 12:14-15 Riding on a Colt

“Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:14-15

Jesus was arriving into Jerusalem for the last time. There was a lot of excitement. The people were looking at Him as their king and that He was going to set them free from the Roman oppression. He comes in riding a donkey’s colt. This had been prophesied by Zechariah several hundred years before.

Riding a donkey was not totally uncommon for kings, but riding a donkey’s colt was uncommon. When a person is riding a donkey it is usually one that has been trained and broken to allow the person to ride it. A colt is the baby donkey that has not been properly trained yet.

This ride into town would not have been a very easy ride. The colt most likely would try to go where it wanted to go. It would start and stop without warning. Maybe, even try running some. It would have been a bumpy ride.

His ride into town would represent His last ride on this earth. It would be a very difficult time. The world would finally reject Jesus and condemn Him to die on the cross. He would be whipped, beaten, spit upon, a crown of thorns on His head, and have nails through His hands and feet before it would be over.

Knowing all of this, Jesus still rides into town. With all of the people giving Him praise, it would have been easy to change roads and take over the Roman Empire, yet Jesus does not do that. He continues to follow the Father’s plan to go to the cross. His goal is a lot larger than just an empire, it is the world.

The road you must travel may be a bumpy, slow and difficult ride. It is the one the Father has set for you. Be willing to be humble and stay on that ride. In the end the prize is more than just a few things in this life, it will be eternal life with everything. Do not demand from God to ride on a horse today, ride the colt He has you on.

I pray today that God will strengthen you to walk the path He has you on; that God will give you His peace to be on the colt on that path; that you will not fear what is coming but trust in God; and that your life will mirror the life of Jesus for all the world to see.

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Mark 12:34 Not Far But Still Away

“When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:34

One of the teachers of the law came up to Jesus and asked Him what was the greatest commandment. Jesus answered the first is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor.

The teacher was pleased and agreed with Jesus. He even states that these things are more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. It is at this point Jesus states that he is not far from the kingdom of God.

Notice that the teacher of the law knew all the right words. He knew what was the most important commandments. Yet, despite knowing all this “good” information, he was still not in the kingdom of God. He was not far, but He was still outside, away from the kingdom of God.

Many people today know all the good things of God. People will tell you that you are to love God and your neighbors, and to not sin. Yet, their hearts are not in a relationship with God. They do not have a daily relationship with Jesus.

Outside of trusting in Jesus for your salvation and following Him, you will not get into the kingdom of heaven. Going to church and speaking all the good words will not get you into heaven. Even reading the Bible everyday will not get you into heaven.

Only trusting in Jesus for your salvation and following Him will get you into heaven. If you love God, you will obey Him. You will want to obey His laws, not because they are the laws or to keep from getting into trouble, but because of your love for Him.

Are you “not far” from the kingdom of God? Or are you in the kingdom of God? Where is your relationship with Jesus today?

Are you just speaking the right words? Or are you in a relationship with God?

Are you just going through the motions? Or are you living the life God has for you?

Get into the kingdom of God today. Trust in Jesus for your salvation and build your relationship with Him.

I pray today that God will draw you closer to Him; that you will be on a close relationship with Jesus; that you will live the life God has for you; that you will be in the kingdom of heaven; and that you will love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

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Mark 11:22 Have Faith In God

“Have faith in God, Jesus answered.” Mark 11:22

Jesus and the disciples had been walking along the road. Jesus saw a fig tree that was not producing fruit, and so He cursed it. The next morning as they passed by it again, the disciples noticed that the fig tree had withered up and died. They were amazed.

Jesus, then, tells them to have faith in God.

Faith is a belief and trust in someone or something. Every person has been given some faith. Every person has some faith. It is just a matter of question as to what their faith is in.

Every day when you go out to your car you have faith that your car will start. Or when you go to work, you have faith that you still have a job. Or when you turn on the light switch, that the light will turn on.

You have faith when you drive down the road, that the other drivers will stay on their side of the road. You have faith the leaders of your community will make correct decisions.

There are many other things you have faith in. Some things you may have more faith in, while other things, you have less faith in.

You can have perfect faith in God in everything. God is a God of love and will take care of you. God will only give you what is best for you. God will also answer every prayer that you pray.

Are you listening for God to answer your prayer? Are you willing to accept His answer?

Do not doubt anything with God. Every time you pray, God will answer. Sometimes it will be a positive answer to your prayer, other times a negative answer to your prayer, but always an answer.

Believe that whatever the answer is, it is the best answer possible. God will work in and through you each and everyday, if you believe in Him.

Where is your faith today?

I pray today that God will prove His faithfulness to you; that you will have faith in God; that you will not doubt God at all; that you will trust God in all of His answers to you; and that God will make you more like Jesus everyday.